asleep

1 of 2

adjective

1
: being in a state of sleep
2
: dead
3
: lacking sensation : numb
4
b
: not alert : indifferent

asleep

2 of 2

adverb

1
: into a state of sleep
2
: into the sleep of death
3
: into a state of inactivity, sluggishness, or indifference

Examples of asleep in a Sentence

Adjective “Are you asleep?” “No, I'm awake.” He tries to clean up the house while the kids are asleep. The cats are asleep on the floor. She was still asleep at noon.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
According to the scholar Maria Tatar, these were folktales shared among adults after hours, while the children were asleep. Jennifer Wilson, The New Yorker, 4 Nov. 2024 Her cellmate was asleep on the top bunk as Upton paced and looked out of the cell door’s window. Christopher Damien, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2024
Adverb
Sleep problems: Both depression and migraine cause insomnia—difficulty falling or staying asleep—and changes in sleep patterns. Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 14 Aug. 2024 Maintaining good sleep habits is also essential to falling and staying asleep easily. Cathy Nelson, Verywell Health, 12 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for asleep 

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English aslepe, from Old English on slæpe

First Known Use

Adjective

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of asleep was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near asleep

Cite this Entry

“Asleep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/asleep. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

asleep

1 of 2 adjective
1
: being in a state of sleep
2
: lacking sensation : numb
my foot was asleep

asleep

2 of 2 adverb
: into a state of sleep

Medical Definition

asleep

1 of 2 adjective
1
: being in a state of sleep
2
: lacking sensation : numb

asleep

2 of 2 adverb
: into a state of sleep

More from Merriam-Webster on asleep

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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